Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses cute ideas to use during therapy with toddlers for Valentine's Day. All ideas are listed here in this post. In the post you'll also find links to FREE Therapy Tip of the Week videos with even more ideas! Hope you enjoy these ideas with your little sweethearts!

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of www.teachmetotalk.com as she answers similar questions from an SLP Assistant and from a mom about helping verbal toddlers expand vocabulary when they appear to be "stuck." Laura will discuss how she approaches children in this situation, the steps she uses to uncover why a child isn't making much progress, and then provides suggestions for moving forward in each scenario.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she provides ideas for a mom who complained that her child can't sit still to work with her on developing language and has difficulty maintaining attention during therapy sessions.

From Laura... Here's the truth... MANY late talking toddlers can't (not WON'T) sit still. We'll BRIEFLY talk about why that is and then move on to ideas that WORK for our friends who need to move, move, move. Here's a list of things I do with my busiest little friends:

Do what they like! Decrease demands overall so that a child doesn't feel "forced." Participation is your ONLY goal. This can dramatically help!! Don't sit... MOVE! Target language during gross motor movement or outside playground activities such as sliding, jumping on a trampoline, swinging, etc... Try social games where moving is a part of the game - Ring Around the Rosies, Row Row Your Boat, Ride a Little Horsie - verbal routines during those games to target receptive and expressive language. Introduce play that involves moving - improvise a basketball game even without a hoop, bowling, launcher toys, and relay games Work on Structured Teaching Tasks - TEACCH method Over time begin to alternate activities move - sit - move - sit Modify a child's space so that movement is less of an option. Beware....belting them into a high chair is usually NOT a good option! Don't try strategies for older children like "if/then." Many times our little friend DON'T understand that promise. Reinforce sitting.

In this week’s teachmetotalk podcast I'm continuing my series on what works to help toddlers learn to talk. Join me, pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP, founder of teachmetotalk.com, as I highlight strategies that are highly effective in helping late talking toddlers begin to communicate. Let’s get back to the basics of talking about what really, really works! In some ways, it’s much simpler than you think!

Join Sara Bingham, WeeHands Founder and author of The Baby Signing Book, each week as she shares parenting tips, language development strategies, and the joys of connecting with your baby, toddler and/or preschool child.

Since 2001, WeeHands has been an industry-leading children's sign language and language development program delivered through interactive, fun classes, as well as a line of tailored products. In 2014, WeeHands became part of Morneau Shepell’s Children's Support Solutions, an organization that provides health-centered and educational services to children with differences to help them reach their potential.

This week, Sara will chat with Wendy Duke - founder of Columbia Speech Language Services. "Communication is what allows us to participate in society on many levels - at work and at play and at school. It's never hard for me to convince people of the value of speech therapy because I really believe in it," Wendy says. We'll discuss preschool language development and stuttering.

Sarah Jessica Parker—one of the many parents in New York City and beyond whose children have benefited greatly from Dr. Klein’s guidance and now your children can too —HOW TODDLERS THRIVE, unpacks the toddler mind, making sense of the unique combination of headstrong independence and need for close attachment that can be perplexing to both new and experienced parents. With a blend of groundbreaking research and tender insight, Dr. Tovah P. Klein, director of the esteemed Barnard Toddler Center has become the go-to expert for parents seeking a practical, adaptable set of techniques for “cracking the code”of their toddler’s behavior.

Klein and her research team study children’s social and emotional development, the influence of parents on children’s development, and the experience of being a parent in the early years. The research looks at the ways mothers and fathers transition to parenthood and negotiate the challenges of work and family issues. Another line of research focuses on the impact of trauma on young children and their families, looking at children who were direct witness to the events of 9/11. A newer study examines how toddlers communicate through and use play to process and learn about emotions, from everyday/typical situations (i.e., separation) to stressful (i.e., a new baby; emergency room visits) and traumatic situations.

Are you living with toddlers and experiencing terrible twos, horrific threes and power struggles? Would you love to know how to avoid and prevent the temper tantrums?

Bonnie and Thomas Liotta interview Lucia Greisbach, a mother of three year old twins and a two year old. When we connected with Lucia, her children were all over her, interupting and crying for her attention. She equipped herself with some tools and is learning how to prevent and avoid terrible twos and horrific threes.

She shares her story of what she has learned with you so you can avoid the terrible twos, horrific threes and also teenage rebellion.

Tonight at 10 pm EST we'll talk about the Tampa, FL area, and how it's okay to leave your gun in a toddlers reach, and have that toddler kill themselves, as long as you are white. Yet if the same thing happens and you are black, you get arrested.